Political X Factor!

[Jade]

Simon Cowell plans 'political X Factor'

Millionaire mastermind tells BBC public could vote on key issues
The Guardian, Monday 14 December 2009

Simon Cowell, the millionaire mastermind behind The X Factor, is thinking of producing a 'political X Factor', in which hot topics are debated and voted on by the British public.

Speaking to BBC Newsnight, he said he has an idea that the public would debate key issues like the British troop presence in Afghanistan and knife crime. He suggested a red phone might be on the stage, allowing No 10 to call in to explain its position.

He added: "If you went around the country, it would be five or six big issues which I think are really, really important in people's lives. So I think there could be some kind of referendum type TV show where you can speak on both sides and then open it up to the public to get an instant poll. "

He went on: "It would be a good way for me to get involved in politics … it would be controversial, the public would eventually make the decision."

He said it would debate topics such as the UK presence in Afghanistan. "If you actually asked most people in the country why are we there, I couldn't even tell you ... I knew why we were in the Falklands, I don't know why we're over there. So when I see all these people coming back dead, I think we have a right to have a say in something like that. Or knife crime, I don't think that the justice system is working properly at the moment."

Cowell said it was a programme that he would like to watch, but he did not envisage anchoring the show himself.

He added he knew he would have to retire at some point: "I always said that the minute you feel that the audience want you to go, it wouldn't be a problem."

I really really cannot wait for this masterstroke - its what TV is invented for

Populist referendum on every single issue

Politicians will be turning cartwheels trying to win us over

Fabulous, fabulous stuff

[aubrey]

Well, it's not like no one's explained why we're in Afghanistan, so just saying I don't know why is not a good enough argument. And The Falklands wasn't so straightforward, either - yes, because Argentine invaded, but why did they invade? Because we'd taken away any defence (against advice).

This kind of programme will only get to the end point of any argument, with anything leading up to that lost.

And I don't trust S Cowell.

[Jade]

I doubt he is asking us to trust him - we all know he is a weirdy self important multimultimulti squillionare, an impresario and a svengali par excellence

When he was managing one of the boy bands he made a point of driving over in his newly acquired porsche, got them all to admire it and told them their recent single had paid for it.

They were still on the dole at the time

Really, he could end up running the ocuntry.

[pippa]

Dec 14, 2009 10:35:00 GMT aubrey said:

Well, it's not like no one's explained why we're in Afghanistan, so just saying I don't know why is not a good enough argument. And The Falklands wasn't so straightforward, either - yes, because Argentine invaded, but why did they invade? Because we'd taken away any defence (against advice).

also, we'd abandoned the island as a godforsaken hinterland. we didn't even import their lamb at the time. whereas the island itself had much closer economic links with Argentine. then of course Argentine claimed historic ownership. we also illegally sunk the Belgrano.
nothing changed then about the UK being legal when it comes to war.

This kind of programme will only get to the end point of any argument, with anything leading up to that lost.

And I don't trust S Cowell.

heaven forbid - we're doomed if this idiot idea is ever taken seriously . the man's a complete tosser.

[jean]

Dec 14, 2009 10:40:08 GMT Jade said:

...he is a weirdy self important multimultimulti squillionare

Really, he could end up running the country.

Well, Berlusconi managed it...

[admin]

government via lowest common denominator ?

first Nulabour, then Simon Cowell?

EMIGRATE NOW!

[marchesarosa]

I think it is a good idea to liven up politics. Our political democracy has lagged so far behind the communications technologies that it can look almost semi-detached, as Margaret used to say.

[jamesjosh]

I agree to a certain extent, but if the great British public cannot be bothered to vote then they have only themsleves to blame for the type of government we end up with.
It is not difficult to see how did dictators get into power when many of the electorate are so apathetic.

[admin]

simon cowell could only enliven politics for the many who don't want/bother to contribute, and belittle it for those that are already funding the aforementioned.

[jamesjosh]

Very true, Bets

[Jade]

interesting thought though - those expressing a political opinion via a referendum will pay for the privilege, through the phone lines

Unlike the actual vote which is free, even if not used.

I wonder if an opinion that has cost us to express is more valuable, of more note, than one used without charge?

[aubrey]

That's a point, Jade.

I think my view of this is clouded by having heard many years of radio phone-ins - the only decent (in every way) phone-in presenter ever was Brian Hayes, and I doubt they'll get him.

[luckyfredsdad]

Dec 14, 2009 17:33:46 GMT jamesjosh said:

I agree to a certain extent, but if the great British public cannot be bothered to vote then they have only themsleves to blame for the type of government we end up with.
It is not difficult to see how did dictators get into power when many of the electorate are so apathetic.

I haven't voted since 1951, when Churchill got in.It put me off permanently!
Voting doesn't do anything for us, simply a method of getting us to abandon our responsibilities on to the shoulders of the executive and the state!

I don't think Cowells idea is a good one either, like voting, it simply creates an illusion that someone is listening!We have to find a method of becoming involved in the mechanics of governing ourselves collectively! In Spain and Russia, before Bolshevism, it was by means of Workers Councils and neighbourhood communities!This was a method well thought out in the early years of the 20th, Cent. Since then the combined forces of the state and class, have worked hard rubbishing the theory.